Armenia shows why HIV prevention & education begins at home
As the link between new cases of HIV infection in Armenia and seasonal migration to Russia and Ukraine becomes more evident, World Vision is renewing its HIV prevention activities by engaging new faith leaders as well as members of the communities where men frequently migrate in search of jobs.Recent statistics indicate about 60 percent of people infected with HIV in Armenia are seasonal migrants to the fastest growing HIV-epidemic countries, which is why educational sessions in the border regions of the country where seasonal migration is widespread are such a crucial part of World Vision’s prevention efforts.
...about 60 percent of people infected with HIV in Armenia are seasonal migrants to the fastest growing HIV-epidemic countries Training conducted in Alaverdi Region in northern Armenia involved clergy members from Alaverdi town and six neighbouring communities, as well as active community members who shared their concerns and learnt about the risks of HIV.
“There are lots of problems we face in the communities, since the majority of men are migrants to Russia and Ukraine. When these people are back, we notice lots of challenges in their families”, said Father Vrtannes from Odzun Village, while speaking of the importance for the clergy to have proper knowledge of HIV-related issues.
The training was conducted by both World Vision health specialists and Father Vahan – the priest from Vanadzor Town, in the north of the country - through the “Channels of Hope” (COH) methodology, which aims to mobilise and empower faith communities to respond to HIV and AIDS issues through process-driven workshops for faith leaders.
Father Vahan was himself trained through COH methodology and now trains community members and children on HIV and AIDS prevention “We as clergy know our communities very well, and this allows us to take a leading role in HIV-preventive actions”, he said during the training.
National AIDS Centre statistics reveal that all the individuals infected through injecting drug use (more than 41 percent) were men and ‘some of them who temporarily inhabited the Russian Federation and the Ukraine were probably infected with HIV there’.
“I have been migrating to Russia for years, and I know the challenges seasonal migrants face out of their country. The information I received today urges me to be more attentive and talk to my migrant friends in future,” said Albert Lalayan, from the border community of Jilizza in Alaverdi region.
Unless the members of every family in the country know about ways of HIV transmission and prevention, we cannot say that we are protective towards our families “Unless the members of every family in the country know about ways of HIV transmission and prevention, we cannot say that we are protective towards our families”, says Albert Lalayan.
Inspired by the training, Father Michael of Alaverdi Town asked for support from World Vision specialists to conduct similar training in the four higher educational facilities and 10 schools of the region. “This is important for young people; they need to know how to protect themselves”, he said.
In the period from September-October alone, some 19 people were registered as HIV-positive in Armenia. “People are very slow and reluctant to learn new things, but the spread of the HIV in the country is a reminder for us that preventive steps should be taken continuously”, says Ruzanna Manukyan, World Vision Armenia Health Specialist. “We should reach the point where sexual education is a common topic in families, and parents are not ashamed to educate their children about it”.
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...about 60 percent of people infected with HIV in Armenia are seasonal migrants to the fastest growing HIV-epidemic countries Training conducted in Alaverdi Region in northern Armenia involved clergy members from Alaverdi town and six neighbouring communities, as well as active community members who shared their concerns and learnt about the risks of HIV.
“There are lots of problems we face in the communities, since the majority of men are migrants to Russia and Ukraine. When these people are back, we notice lots of challenges in their families”, said Father Vrtannes from Odzun Village, while speaking of the importance for the clergy to have proper knowledge of HIV-related issues.
The training was conducted by both World Vision health specialists and Father Vahan – the priest from Vanadzor Town, in the north of the country - through the “Channels of Hope” (COH) methodology, which aims to mobilise and empower faith communities to respond to HIV and AIDS issues through process-driven workshops for faith leaders.
Father Vahan was himself trained through COH methodology and now trains community members and children on HIV and AIDS prevention “We as clergy know our communities very well, and this allows us to take a leading role in HIV-preventive actions”, he said during the training.
National AIDS Centre statistics reveal that all the individuals infected through injecting drug use (more than 41 percent) were men and ‘some of them who temporarily inhabited the Russian Federation and the Ukraine were probably infected with HIV there’.
“I have been migrating to Russia for years, and I know the challenges seasonal migrants face out of their country. The information I received today urges me to be more attentive and talk to my migrant friends in future,” said Albert Lalayan, from the border community of Jilizza in Alaverdi region.
Unless the members of every family in the country know about ways of HIV transmission and prevention, we cannot say that we are protective towards our families “Unless the members of every family in the country know about ways of HIV transmission and prevention, we cannot say that we are protective towards our families”, says Albert Lalayan.
Inspired by the training, Father Michael of Alaverdi Town asked for support from World Vision specialists to conduct similar training in the four higher educational facilities and 10 schools of the region. “This is important for young people; they need to know how to protect themselves”, he said.
In the period from September-October alone, some 19 people were registered as HIV-positive in Armenia. “People are very slow and reluctant to learn new things, but the spread of the HIV in the country is a reminder for us that preventive steps should be taken continuously”, says Ruzanna Manukyan, World Vision Armenia Health Specialist. “We should reach the point where sexual education is a common topic in families, and parents are not ashamed to educate their children about it”.
-Ends-
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